Safe Place

What keeps you up at night - disturbs your sleep, causes you to toss 'n turn, steals those nighttime winks, that beauty rest? I'm quite sure the list is varied and endless! In Psalm 4:7-8 (ESV), David says, "You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." If you read the previous verse, you'll see this is David's response to the skeptics of his day, those who doubted God would hear and rescue him from his troubles. Sounds a lot like our culture well-sprinkled with skepticism about the One True God and His power. May I suggest that many times the skepticism we hear may be a result of our own failure to display genuine truly trust God ourselves. When the world witnesses us become anxious and worry about things, it's a poor commentary on just how trustworthy our God is! The depth of David's trust in the Lord is so real that he is fearless enough to lie down as well as sleep! His rest is unhindered because he has rightly and pleasantly concluded the Lord is his place of safety. Paul says it like this: "You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3 (NASB).  Whatever sleep escapes you, preach this to yourself: Christ is ever and always your ... safe place. 

Mighty Words

Excuse the play on words, but mirrors can be a matter of serious ... reflection. In most bathrooms, the
mirror is a key fixture; we frame it, clean it to a sparkle-shine, and rarely ignore what it reflects. How often, however, do you consider your spiritual reflection? Unlike the attention we give to our physical reflections, we tend to neglect the spiritual. Jesus prayed for His followers: “For their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” (John 17:19, ESV). While God's Truth is altogether sanctifying (making us holy), we first must know His Truth. It's interesting how followers of Jesus give so little thought and devote tiny amounts of time to God's Word. Reading and meditating on His words isn't just a spiritual exercise, it must be a daily discipline; there's no other way to know God and be in relationship with Jesus. Furthermore, with all the lies that come at us [from all directions], we're left defenseless to identify the lies unless God's Truth is in us! I encourage us all to be thankful and grateful for The Holy Scriptures - to recognize and remember and reflect on these mighty words ... "Thus saith the Lord."

The Guarantee

Several years ago I thinned out my collection of recipe books. While limited space was a factor, the reality was I seldom used any of them! David wrote, "I have set the LORD always before me" (Psalm 16:8). When preparing a special dish or assembling something new, it is most helpful to focus on and follow the instructions. David continues with these confident words: "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore" (Verse 11). Even when intently following the recipe or instructions, a good outcome isn't always guaranteed. The Lord, however, never leads us astray; His right hand never fails to produce His intended purpose. This was David's confidence and it must be our own! Honestly, I rarely try new recipes; I tend to stick-with what I know to be good and historically successful. So it is with the formula for promised fullness of joy as guaranteed by The Lord Himself. Like David, it begins and ends with a personal choice: "I have set the LORD always before me." Keeping the Lord first and foremost in our life is ... the guarantee.

Seeking Hearts

This older-men finds itself looking for things too often! Mister Bill frequently comments on the danger of a "flat surface" in our house - it seems to just call for something to occupy it. Usually, it's that flat surface where I'll find what I'm ever-looking for ... among the stack. We read in 1 Chronicles 16, "O give thanks to the LORD, call on His Name; make His deeds known among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy Name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence]." (Verses 8-11 AMP). Note the verbs ... give, make, sing, speak, glory, let, seek - they all have a common focus, a shared object ... that is, The LORD. The Hebrew word LORD (all caps) refers to Jehovah - the existing one. It is difficult for us "created beings" to comprehend one who is UN-created or self-existing yet this is the great and grand truth of the soul's truest affection and desire. We seek after so many things; we give to, make, sing of, speak to, glory in created things ultimately shoving Jehovah from His rightful place. A. W. Tozer suggested David's greatest attribute was that he was "preoccupied with God." I love that description because it should be said of every child of God! With what or whom are you preoccupied? Who or what possesses your time each day? Let me encourage us all to be people as described in 1 Chronicles 16:11 - people of... seeking hearts.

Adrift

The summer heat usually takes me back to a sweet time of floating on the lake! While Mister Bill fished from the dock, I floated occupied a float nearby. At some point, I heard Mister Bill's voice, "You're drifting out too far." There is a great danger in spiritual drifting! The disciplined life of the Believer demands mindfulness, attentiveness, consciousness, watchfulness with regard to the pursuit of holiness. The apostle Peter warned Jesus' followers of false teachings that quickly creep in without spiritual diligence to God's "exceeding great and precious promises." (2 Peter 1:4). When we nod-off spiritually, imitators of Truth begin to chip away at the foundation of Truth we have in Christ and; imitations such as mere morality, good deeds and do-it-yourself strengths. There is, of course, an anti-toxin, a counter-agent to the enemies' deceits – “add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge self-control; and to self-control endurance; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love." (v.5-7). There is significant difference in drifting and rowing steadily toward something; and, when we drift, we never drift in the right direction!  Are you living according to The Truth of God's Word? Is it your foundation and guide? What are you doing to remain true-to-truth? It is paramount as a child of God, we are faithful to Truth, or else we will find ourselves spiritually ... adrift.